A new year, a new treaty, but the same old problems?

The EU woke up this year to a new world – not just because it now has the Lisbon treaty, but also because in December it was given two rude awakenings to its inadequacies as an international player.

Firstly, at Copenhagen it found itself marginalised when the US took over the initiative, striking a deal directly with China, India, South Africa and Ethiopia. Its semi-official strategy – to set ambitious targets, bring the G77 group of developing countries on board and force a response from the US and China – failed on all fronts.

Secondly, on 24 December, Eritrea was sanctioned by the UN Security Council and its EU members – a decision that highlighted that the European Commission is out of line with its own members as well as the international community. This very small country is the world’s second-largest source of asylum-seekers, most of whom head for the EU. Reporters Without Borders ranks its press as the world’s least free, Human Rights Watch calls it an “open-air prison”, others have called it “the North Korea of Africa”, and few (if any) EU member states still co-operate with it. Yet, in 2009, the Commission initialled a €120 million programme for the next three years and the then development commissioner, Louis Michel, received its dictatorial president, Isaias Afwerki, as warmly as any other statesman. This when MEPs were being refused visas.

What December showed, in short, is that the EU acts incoherently, overestimates its own power, underestimates others’ and – as a result – too frequently fails to deliver. It has been transfixed while the world order has moved on.

The shock of Copenhagen should help correct the EU’s overestimation of itself. But will it correct its underestimation of others’ power? If it forges an alliance with the G77 on climate change, we can perhaps say ‘Yes’. At Copenhagen, the EU’s problem was that its semi-official strategy was undermined by a strategy that proved a higher priority: to keep a position to which the US could agree.

As for the third problem evident recently, internal inconsistency, that challenge should be eased by the Lisbon treaty and resulting structural changes. In late 2009 there was a risk that commissioners’ responsibilities would continue to be split by region rather than by policy area. While there remain areas of uncertainty about the post-Lisbon administrative set-up, at least the portfolios of commissioners are now aligned with the Commission’s administrative responsibilities. For a start, Andris Piebalgs’s responsibilities as development commissioner(-designate) include EuropeAid. That was not the case under Michel, effectively rendering EuropeAid a lame duck.

The combination of a more logically organised Commission and a single foreign policy chief – Catherine Ashton – increases the chances of forging more coherent EU policies and also of establishing a strong alliance with developing countries on climate change. Whether that will happen depends on Ashton’s ability to put together a strong diplomatic service and on Piebalgs’s ability to create space for development co-operation and to convince the G77 that the EU could be an ally.

Piebalgs is a man well-suited for that challenge. His background as a former energy commissioner will come in handy in climate-mitigation co-operation with developing countries. And, as a Latvian expert on energy, he could emerge as a persuasive force in efforts to convince the EU’s new and less economically advanced member states of the value of a broad alliance with the G77. Since he managed to establish a constructive relationship with Russia in his previous post, Piebalgs may even be able to persuade Russia. But are such hopes too influenced by the start of a new year, a new treaty and a new Commission?

Mirjam Van Reisen is the director of the Europe External Policy Advisors and author of “Window of opportunity” on EU development co-operation policy.

Related stories on these topics:

Simon

Mrs Van Reisen

What is your obsession with Eritrea,
Is EU funding genocide in Ethiopia by giving billions to the worst butcher in Africa, who has stolen Elections (overseen by EU) and massacred more than 200 protesters for good effect. EU gave a red carpet treatment and made the worst butcher in Africa to represent Africa, and you have temerity telling us about Eritrea ?

Oh I did not even mentioned the spineless EU weasling out of its responsibility of being arbitrator and enforcer of the Hague border commision’s decision of the Ethio-Eritrea border.

I think it is stalin who said you kill one person you are a murder, and you kill a million, they are statistics. Oh well, it is make belief world after all.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:13 AM CEST

Simon

Mrs Van Reisen

What is your obsession with Eritrea,
Is EU funding genocide in Ethiopia by giving billions to the worst butcher in Africa, who has stolen Elections (overseen by EU) and massacred more than 200 protesters for good effect. EU gave a red carpet treatment and made the worst butcher in Africa to represent Africa, and you have temerity telling us about Eritrea ?

Oh I did not even mentioned the spineless EU weasling out of its responsibility of being arbitrator and enforcer of the Hague border commision’s decision of the Ethio-Eritrea border.

I think it is stalin who said you kill one person you are a murder, and you kill a million, they are statistics. Oh well, it is make belief world after all.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:13 AM CEST

Muler tes

What you probably failed to understand is that the 121 mil given to the 4.5 million Eritreans who working so hard to stand on their own feet will in the long run help reduce refugees by allowing the countries to be self suffcient. If there is any country in Africa that is fightig very hard to pull it self from poverty by letting its people work harder than the rest, it is ERITREA. There is nothing wrong with helping people who are facing the challenge of staying alive. Those who are not able to sustain the hard work, they will be coming to Europe but in the end the country will be better of. EU needs to be commended to recognize Eritrea desire to feed itself. Forget democracy and freedom of speech for now. Help the people feed themselves now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:13 AM CEST

Muler tes

What you probably failed to understand is that the 121 mil given to the 4.5 million Eritreans who working so hard to stand on their own feet will in the long run help reduce refugees by allowing the countries to be self suffcient. If there is any country in Africa that is fightig very hard to pull it self from poverty by letting its people work harder than the rest, it is ERITREA. There is nothing wrong with helping people who are facing the challenge of staying alive. Those who are not able to sustain the hard work, they will be coming to Europe but in the end the country will be better of. EU needs to be commended to recognize Eritrea desire to feed itself. Forget democracy and freedom of speech for now. Help the people feed themselves now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:13 AM CEST

Simon

Mrs Van Reisen

What is your obsession with Eritrea,
Is EU funding genocide in Ethiopia by giving billions to the worst butcher in Africa, who has stolen Elections (overseen by EU) and massacred more than 200 protesters for good effect. EU gave a red carpet treatment and made the worst butcher in Africa to represent Africa, and you have temerity telling us about Eritrea ?

Oh I did not even mentioned the spineless EU weasling out of its responsibility of being arbitrator and enforcer of the Hague border commision’s decision of the Ethio-Eritrea border.

I think it is stalin who said you kill one person you are a murder, and you kill a million, they are statistics. Oh well, it is make belief world after all.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:13 AM CEST

Simon

Mrs Van Reisen

What is your obsession with Eritrea,
Is EU funding genocide in Ethiopia by giving billions to the worst butcher in Africa, who has stolen Elections (overseen by EU) and massacred more than 200 protesters for good effect. EU gave a red carpet treatment and made the worst butcher in Africa to represent Africa, and you have temerity telling us about Eritrea ?

Oh I did not even mentioned the spineless EU weasling out of its responsibility of being arbitrator and enforcer of the Hague border commision’s decision of the Ethio-Eritrea border.

I think it is stalin who said you kill one person you are a murder, and you kill a million, they are statistics. Oh well, it is make belief world after all.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:13 AM CEST

Muler tes

What you probably failed to understand is that the 121 mil given to the 4.5 million Eritreans who working so hard to stand on their own feet will in the long run help reduce refugees by allowing the countries to be self suffcient. If there is any country in Africa that is fightig very hard to pull it self from poverty by letting its people work harder than the rest, it is ERITREA. There is nothing wrong with helping people who are facing the challenge of staying alive. Those who are not able to sustain the hard work, they will be coming to Europe but in the end the country will be better of. EU needs to be commended to recognize Eritrea desire to feed itself. Forget democracy and freedom of speech for now. Help the people feed themselves now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:13 AM CEST

Muler tes

What you probably failed to understand is that the 121 mil given to the 4.5 million Eritreans who working so hard to stand on their own feet will in the long run help reduce refugees by allowing the countries to be self suffcient. If there is any country in Africa that is fightig very hard to pull it self from poverty by letting its people work harder than the rest, it is ERITREA. There is nothing wrong with helping people who are facing the challenge of staying alive. Those who are not able to sustain the hard work, they will be coming to Europe but in the end the country will be better of. EU needs to be commended to recognize Eritrea desire to feed itself. Forget democracy and freedom of speech for now. Help the people feed themselves now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs Van Reisen what is your personal problem with Eritrea and Dear PR. Isayas Afewerki? first you must visit and tell what you see but you live in EU and talk so much about Eritrea and its Beloved leader. EU and USA`s treatment over Eritrea was and is in the last 50 years very bad. we Eritrean ignored our quastion by super power b/c of thire interest not b/c of Dear PR.Isayas afewerki.the west gave mony to Ethiopia to fight Eritrea for thire owen interest. do you know the west do not to talk about the massacred by Ethiopian regim over Ganbela and Ogaden region. why? even you know it but as soon as your country interest keep well and good you do not have interest to talk! sheme on you. if thire is low in EU and USA and UN why they do not want to finished the border problem? did you think they are working with low? no? but with thire interest. if the USA andEU have the evedence why do not bring infront of world? why they are finished to put saaction in closed door over Eritrea? if they have truth why they are sillent still now? sheme on you and EU,USA,UN. we need to ask you and other puppet in the worled live alon Eritrea. if you have afried of God tell the truth instead of false. GOD IS GOD NOT LIKE A HUMAN BING. SO HE WILL KEEP ERITREA FROM LIERS AND AGRESSIVE LEADER. GOD BLESS MY DEAR LEADER PR. ISAYAS AFEWERKI AND ERITREAN PPL FOREVER . THANK YOU GOD BLESS YOU FOR WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MY BELOVED COUNTREY ERITREA FALSE TALK.

Mrs Van Reisen what is your personal problem with Eritrea and Dear PR. Isayas Afewerki? first you must visit and tell what you see but you live in EU and talk so much about Eritrea and its Beloved leader. EU and USA`s treatment over Eritrea was and is in the last 50 years very bad. we Eritrean ignored our quastion by super power b/c of thire interest not b/c of Dear PR.Isayas afewerki.the west gave mony to Ethiopia to fight Eritrea for thire owen interest. do you know the west do not to talk about the massacred by Ethiopian regim over Ganbela and Ogaden region. why? even you know it but as soon as your country interest keep well and good you do not have interest to talk! sheme on you. if thire is low in EU and USA and UN why they do not want to finished the border problem? did you think they are working with low? no? but with thire interest. if the USA andEU have the evedence why do not bring infront of world? why they are finished to put saaction in closed door over Eritrea? if they have truth why they are sillent still now? sheme on you and EU,USA,UN. we need to ask you and other puppet in the worled live alon Eritrea. if you have afried of God tell the truth instead of false. GOD IS GOD NOT LIKE A HUMAN BING. SO HE WILL KEEP ERITREA FROM LIERS AND AGRESSIVE LEADER. GOD BLESS MY DEAR LEADER PR. ISAYAS AFEWERKI AND ERITREAN PPL FOREVER . THANK YOU GOD BLESS YOU FOR WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MY BELOVED COUNTREY ERITREA FALSE TALK.

I am glad that this lady thinks that putting a sanction in Eritrea changes the world. I am gland that Eritrea is such an important country in the world politics.

However, I am disheartened by the lady’s vindictive approach toward the state of Eritrea. She seems to harbour un-natural hatred towards Eritrea. Why does she think the EU developmental aid is such a horrendous act of crime by EU. She is simply out to hurt Eritrea and Eritreans.

The government and people of Eritrea are unique in Africa in its strategy of getting rid of the dependence in aid and being able to cultivate the capability of people being able to manage their own life by working for it.

This should be commended by EU and other African states should be encouraged to follow suite, but it will inevitably also get rid of unnecessary organisations like the one Mrs. Mirijiam Van Reisen has formed.

I am glad that this lady thinks that putting a sanction in Eritrea changes the world. I am gland that Eritrea is such an important country in the world politics.

However, I am disheartened by the lady’s vindictive approach toward the state of Eritrea. She seems to harbour un-natural hatred towards Eritrea. Why does she think the EU developmental aid is such a horrendous act of crime by EU. She is simply out to hurt Eritrea and Eritreans.

The government and people of Eritrea are unique in Africa in its strategy of getting rid of the dependence in aid and being able to cultivate the capability of people being able to manage their own life by working for it.

This should be commended by EU and other African states should be encouraged to follow suite, but it will inevitably also get rid of unnecessary organisations like the one Mrs. Mirijiam Van Reisen has formed.

Mrs Van Reisen what is your personal problem with Eritrea and Dear PR. Isayas Afewerki? first you must visit and tell what you see but you live in EU and talk so much about Eritrea and its Beloved leader. EU and USA`s treatment over Eritrea was and is in the last 50 years very bad. we Eritrean ignored our quastion by super power b/c of thire interest not b/c of Dear PR.Isayas afewerki.the west gave mony to Ethiopia to fight Eritrea for thire owen interest. do you know the west do not to talk about the massacred by Ethiopian regim over Ganbela and Ogaden region. why? even you know it but as soon as your country interest keep well and good you do not have interest to talk! sheme on you. if thire is low in EU and USA and UN why they do not want to finished the border problem? did you think they are working with low? no? but with thire interest. if the USA andEU have the evedence why do not bring infront of world? why they are finished to put saaction in closed door over Eritrea? if they have truth why they are sillent still now? sheme on you and EU,USA,UN. we need to ask you and other puppet in the worled live alon Eritrea. if you have afried of God tell the truth instead of false. GOD IS GOD NOT LIKE A HUMAN BING. SO HE WILL KEEP ERITREA FROM LIERS AND AGRESSIVE LEADER. GOD BLESS MY DEAR LEADER PR. ISAYAS AFEWERKI AND ERITREAN PPL FOREVER . THANK YOU GOD BLESS YOU FOR WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MY BELOVED COUNTREY ERITREA FALSE TALK.

Mrs Van Reisen what is your personal problem with Eritrea and Dear PR. Isayas Afewerki? first you must visit and tell what you see but you live in EU and talk so much about Eritrea and its Beloved leader. EU and USA`s treatment over Eritrea was and is in the last 50 years very bad. we Eritrean ignored our quastion by super power b/c of thire interest not b/c of Dear PR.Isayas afewerki.the west gave mony to Ethiopia to fight Eritrea for thire owen interest. do you know the west do not to talk about the massacred by Ethiopian regim over Ganbela and Ogaden region. why? even you know it but as soon as your country interest keep well and good you do not have interest to talk! sheme on you. if thire is low in EU and USA and UN why they do not want to finished the border problem? did you think they are working with low? no? but with thire interest. if the USA andEU have the evedence why do not bring infront of world? why they are finished to put saaction in closed door over Eritrea? if they have truth why they are sillent still now? sheme on you and EU,USA,UN. we need to ask you and other puppet in the worled live alon Eritrea. if you have afried of God tell the truth instead of false. GOD IS GOD NOT LIKE A HUMAN BING. SO HE WILL KEEP ERITREA FROM LIERS AND AGRESSIVE LEADER. GOD BLESS MY DEAR LEADER PR. ISAYAS AFEWERKI AND ERITREAN PPL FOREVER . THANK YOU GOD BLESS YOU FOR WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MY BELOVED COUNTREY ERITREA FALSE TALK.

I am glad that this lady thinks that putting a sanction in Eritrea changes the world. I am gland that Eritrea is such an important country in the world politics.

However, I am disheartened by the lady’s vindictive approach toward the state of Eritrea. She seems to harbour un-natural hatred towards Eritrea. Why does she think the EU developmental aid is such a horrendous act of crime by EU. She is simply out to hurt Eritrea and Eritreans.

The government and people of Eritrea are unique in Africa in its strategy of getting rid of the dependence in aid and being able to cultivate the capability of people being able to manage their own life by working for it.

This should be commended by EU and other African states should be encouraged to follow suite, but it will inevitably also get rid of unnecessary organisations like the one Mrs. Mirijiam Van Reisen has formed.

I am glad that this lady thinks that putting a sanction in Eritrea changes the world. I am gland that Eritrea is such an important country in the world politics.

However, I am disheartened by the lady’s vindictive approach toward the state of Eritrea. She seems to harbour un-natural hatred towards Eritrea. Why does she think the EU developmental aid is such a horrendous act of crime by EU. She is simply out to hurt Eritrea and Eritreans.

The government and people of Eritrea are unique in Africa in its strategy of getting rid of the dependence in aid and being able to cultivate the capability of people being able to manage their own life by working for it.

This should be commended by EU and other African states should be encouraged to follow suite, but it will inevitably also get rid of unnecessary organisations like the one Mrs. Mirijiam Van Reisen has formed.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 5:25 AM CEST

Stop

Eritrea is is red herring.
If I had a chance I would like to ask the US why it is providing weapons to Somalia’s beleaguered transitional government, which Somalians want to get rid of. Why Is Ethiopia doing US’ dirty-work?
May 7th, Shebab & Hezb al-Islam launched offensive against Transitional Government of Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. The western-backed Sharif is being protected by African Union peacekeepers, armed by Americans and buttressed by foreigners i.e. Ethiopia.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:32 PM CEST

Stop

Eritrea is is red herring.
If I had a chance I would like to ask the US why it is providing weapons to Somalia’s beleaguered transitional government, which Somalians want to get rid of. Why Is Ethiopia doing US’ dirty-work?
May 7th, Shebab & Hezb al-Islam launched offensive against Transitional Government of Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. The western-backed Sharif is being protected by African Union peacekeepers, armed by Americans and buttressed by foreigners i.e. Ethiopia.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:32 PM CEST

Stop

Eritrea is to the contrary a stabilizer in the region. It contributed to bring peace in South Sudan. It also mediated the Eastern Sudan Agreement. Its role in the Darfur Peace Process is also important. However, Eritrea doesn’t quietly look from the sidelines when Ethiopia occupies Somalia and attempts to control the region as a whole through force. Ethiopia’s occupation of soverign Eritrean territories is also a major security concern. Eritrea’s crime is not living by the term set by Ethiopia.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:33 PM CEST

Stop

Eritrea is to the contrary a stabilizer in the region. It contributed to bring peace in South Sudan. It also mediated the Eastern Sudan Agreement. Its role in the Darfur Peace Process is also important. However, Eritrea doesn’t quietly look from the sidelines when Ethiopia occupies Somalia and attempts to control the region as a whole through force. Ethiopia’s occupation of soverign Eritrean territories is also a major security concern. Eritrea’s crime is not living by the term set by Ethiopia.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:33 PM CEST

Stop

For some reason, there is a missing dimension here. What about the role of the US in the invasion and ocupation of Somalia? What about the role of the CIA in the formation of and financing of the warlords that prevented the the TNG (the one formed in Kenya)from relocating to Somalia? What about the arms embargo violations by the US and Ethiopia…not to mention the arms brought into Somalia by dealers such as Victor Bout who was on the US payroll until his arrest last year?

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:35 PM CEST

Stop

For some reason, there is a missing dimension here. What about the role of the US in the invasion and ocupation of Somalia? What about the role of the CIA in the formation of and financing of the warlords that prevented the the TNG (the one formed in Kenya)from relocating to Somalia? What about the arms embargo violations by the US and Ethiopia…not to mention the arms brought into Somalia by dealers such as Victor Bout who was on the US payroll until his arrest last year?

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:35 PM CEST

Stop

Just want kind of “evidence” is out there that can prove Eritrea’s involvement in Somalia?
The so-called “U.N. Monitoring Group” report has already shot itself on the head
by detailing the involvement of “2000 Eritrean soldiers in Somalia” during the 2005 naked Ethiopian invasion.
After such a naked lie designed to cover-up on a naked invasion, no amount of “evidence” can convince any sane person about Eritrea’s non-political involvement.
So no amount of accusation against Eritrea can save such a gigantic, endless debacle.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:36 PM CEST

Stop

Just want kind of “evidence” is out there that can prove Eritrea’s involvement in Somalia?
The so-called “U.N. Monitoring Group” report has already shot itself on the head
by detailing the involvement of “2000 Eritrean soldiers in Somalia” during the 2005 naked Ethiopian invasion.
After such a naked lie designed to cover-up on a naked invasion, no amount of “evidence” can convince any sane person about Eritrea’s non-political involvement.
So no amount of accusation against Eritrea can save such a gigantic, endless debacle.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:36 PM CEST

Time will show eritrea is right !!!

The question should be what is best for Somalia….Clearly, for there to be peace; Somalis must decide what is best for them. To date there have not been any transitional government of Somalia that allowed all parties and people to participate in forming their own government. Every transitional government that came was formed in exile and it was dictated by special interest groups. Eritrea, however, is advocating for a approach that is inclusive of all groups and political affiliations and thus it has nothing to gain by militarily supporting any group. Ethiopia and America for that matter have been fueling that flame by calming this group is linked to terrorist and that group is radical and thus causing the suffering of the peoples continue without an end in sight. And that is the truth.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:37 PM CEST

Time will show eritrea is right !!!

The question should be what is best for Somalia….Clearly, for there to be peace; Somalis must decide what is best for them. To date there have not been any transitional government of Somalia that allowed all parties and people to participate in forming their own government. Every transitional government that came was formed in exile and it was dictated by special interest groups. Eritrea, however, is advocating for a approach that is inclusive of all groups and political affiliations and thus it has nothing to gain by militarily supporting any group. Ethiopia and America for that matter have been fueling that flame by calming this group is linked to terrorist and that group is radical and thus causing the suffering of the peoples continue without an end in sight. And that is the truth.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:37 PM CEST

Stop

Eritrea is is red herring.
If I had a chance I would like to ask the US why it is providing weapons to Somalia’s beleaguered transitional government, which Somalians want to get rid of. Why Is Ethiopia doing US’ dirty-work?
May 7th, Shebab & Hezb al-Islam launched offensive against Transitional Government of Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. The western-backed Sharif is being protected by African Union peacekeepers, armed by Americans and buttressed by foreigners i.e. Ethiopia.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:32 PM CEST

Stop

Eritrea is is red herring.
If I had a chance I would like to ask the US why it is providing weapons to Somalia’s beleaguered transitional government, which Somalians want to get rid of. Why Is Ethiopia doing US’ dirty-work?
May 7th, Shebab & Hezb al-Islam launched offensive against Transitional Government of Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. The western-backed Sharif is being protected by African Union peacekeepers, armed by Americans and buttressed by foreigners i.e. Ethiopia.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:32 PM CEST

Stop

Eritrea is to the contrary a stabilizer in the region. It contributed to bring peace in South Sudan. It also mediated the Eastern Sudan Agreement. Its role in the Darfur Peace Process is also important. However, Eritrea doesn’t quietly look from the sidelines when Ethiopia occupies Somalia and attempts to control the region as a whole through force. Ethiopia’s occupation of soverign Eritrean territories is also a major security concern. Eritrea’s crime is not living by the term set by Ethiopia.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:33 PM CEST

Stop

Eritrea is to the contrary a stabilizer in the region. It contributed to bring peace in South Sudan. It also mediated the Eastern Sudan Agreement. Its role in the Darfur Peace Process is also important. However, Eritrea doesn’t quietly look from the sidelines when Ethiopia occupies Somalia and attempts to control the region as a whole through force. Ethiopia’s occupation of soverign Eritrean territories is also a major security concern. Eritrea’s crime is not living by the term set by Ethiopia.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:33 PM CEST

Stop

For some reason, there is a missing dimension here. What about the role of the US in the invasion and ocupation of Somalia? What about the role of the CIA in the formation of and financing of the warlords that prevented the the TNG (the one formed in Kenya)from relocating to Somalia? What about the arms embargo violations by the US and Ethiopia…not to mention the arms brought into Somalia by dealers such as Victor Bout who was on the US payroll until his arrest last year?

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:35 PM CEST

Stop

For some reason, there is a missing dimension here. What about the role of the US in the invasion and ocupation of Somalia? What about the role of the CIA in the formation of and financing of the warlords that prevented the the TNG (the one formed in Kenya)from relocating to Somalia? What about the arms embargo violations by the US and Ethiopia…not to mention the arms brought into Somalia by dealers such as Victor Bout who was on the US payroll until his arrest last year?

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:35 PM CEST

Stop

Just want kind of “evidence” is out there that can prove Eritrea’s involvement in Somalia?
The so-called “U.N. Monitoring Group” report has already shot itself on the head
by detailing the involvement of “2000 Eritrean soldiers in Somalia” during the 2005 naked Ethiopian invasion.
After such a naked lie designed to cover-up on a naked invasion, no amount of “evidence” can convince any sane person about Eritrea’s non-political involvement.
So no amount of accusation against Eritrea can save such a gigantic, endless debacle.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:36 PM CEST

Stop

Just want kind of “evidence” is out there that can prove Eritrea’s involvement in Somalia?
The so-called “U.N. Monitoring Group” report has already shot itself on the head
by detailing the involvement of “2000 Eritrean soldiers in Somalia” during the 2005 naked Ethiopian invasion.
After such a naked lie designed to cover-up on a naked invasion, no amount of “evidence” can convince any sane person about Eritrea’s non-political involvement.
So no amount of accusation against Eritrea can save such a gigantic, endless debacle.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:36 PM CEST

Time will show eritrea is right !!!

The question should be what is best for Somalia….Clearly, for there to be peace; Somalis must decide what is best for them. To date there have not been any transitional government of Somalia that allowed all parties and people to participate in forming their own government. Every transitional government that came was formed in exile and it was dictated by special interest groups. Eritrea, however, is advocating for a approach that is inclusive of all groups and political affiliations and thus it has nothing to gain by militarily supporting any group. Ethiopia and America for that matter have been fueling that flame by calming this group is linked to terrorist and that group is radical and thus causing the suffering of the peoples continue without an end in sight. And that is the truth.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:37 PM CEST

Time will show eritrea is right !!!

The question should be what is best for Somalia….Clearly, for there to be peace; Somalis must decide what is best for them. To date there have not been any transitional government of Somalia that allowed all parties and people to participate in forming their own government. Every transitional government that came was formed in exile and it was dictated by special interest groups. Eritrea, however, is advocating for a approach that is inclusive of all groups and political affiliations and thus it has nothing to gain by militarily supporting any group. Ethiopia and America for that matter have been fueling that flame by calming this group is linked to terrorist and that group is radical and thus causing the suffering of the peoples continue without an end in sight. And that is the truth.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 2:37 PM CEST

Bohashem

I think the EU can still play a better role in relation to G77. EU countries like Britain and France still have strong links with the LDC world through their commonwealth and francophone forums. What is needed is more assertiveness in telling those on the “wrong side of history” that their abuse of their people’s basic human and political rights can no longer be tolerated. In a globalised world, local repressive policies should not be allowed to spill over and contribute to regional and international instability. EU Aid and EU diplomacy is needed to promote the letter and spirit of the Cotonou Agreement i.e. to promote human rights, democracy and good governance…these are the basic tenets that every self-respecting people’s government should adhere to. In the absence of these tenets, EU relations with despotic regimes bring out no results except prolonging the suffering of oppressed peoples by their ruthless rulers such as the one we have in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 4:45 PM CEST

Bohashem

I think the EU can still play a better role in relation to G77. EU countries like Britain and France still have strong links with the LDC world through their commonwealth and francophone forums. What is needed is more assertiveness in telling those on the “wrong side of history” that their abuse of their people’s basic human and political rights can no longer be tolerated. In a globalised world, local repressive policies should not be allowed to spill over and contribute to regional and international instability. EU Aid and EU diplomacy is needed to promote the letter and spirit of the Cotonou Agreement i.e. to promote human rights, democracy and good governance…these are the basic tenets that every self-respecting people’s government should adhere to. In the absence of these tenets, EU relations with despotic regimes bring out no results except prolonging the suffering of oppressed peoples by their ruthless rulers such as the one we have in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 4:45 PM CEST

Bohashem

I think the EU can still play a better role in relation to G77. EU countries like Britain and France still have strong links with the LDC world through their commonwealth and francophone forums. What is needed is more assertiveness in telling those on the “wrong side of history” that their abuse of their people’s basic human and political rights can no longer be tolerated. In a globalised world, local repressive policies should not be allowed to spill over and contribute to regional and international instability. EU Aid and EU diplomacy is needed to promote the letter and spirit of the Cotonou Agreement i.e. to promote human rights, democracy and good governance…these are the basic tenets that every self-respecting people’s government should adhere to. In the absence of these tenets, EU relations with despotic regimes bring out no results except prolonging the suffering of oppressed peoples by their ruthless rulers such as the one we have in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 4:53 PM CEST

Bohashem

I think the EU can still play a better role in relation to G77. EU countries like Britain and France still have strong links with the LDC world through their commonwealth and francophone forums. What is needed is more assertiveness in telling those on the “wrong side of history” that their abuse of their people’s basic human and political rights can no longer be tolerated. In a globalised world, local repressive policies should not be allowed to spill over and contribute to regional and international instability. EU Aid and EU diplomacy is needed to promote the letter and spirit of the Cotonou Agreement i.e. to promote human rights, democracy and good governance…these are the basic tenets that every self-respecting people’s government should adhere to. In the absence of these tenets, EU relations with despotic regimes bring out no results except prolonging the suffering of oppressed peoples by their ruthless rulers such as the one we have in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 4:53 PM CEST

selam kidane

The most bizarre part of EU’s decision to commit development fund to Eritrea was the fact that it went against every bit of the agreements that govern development aid and partnerships with the EU. In return for the EU turning a blind eye to this clear breach President Isaias was supposed to help the EU bring some sort of stability to the horn of Africa and be prepared to engage in discussions pertaining human rights in Eritrea. The primary victims of Eritrea’s tyrannical rules would have told the EU and anyone interested that Isaias Afwerki , can never be relayed on to bring peace ,stability or justice to the Horn of Africa and much less to Eritrea. It seems it has taken this long for the EU and the international community to realise what the Eritrean youth had worked out ages ago.
Today the as the article mentions Eritrea produces more refugees than much larger countries, has more imprisoned journalists and more prisons. Those who tried hard to engage the president goading him to make the smallest of concessions have come back empty handed.
He antagonised his AU compatriots at the dawn of Eritrea’s independence calling them a bunch of baboons and he dealt with the rest of the international community with the same disdain he has taken to when dealing with the Eritrean public, only to find that what goes round does come round and unlike the Eritrean public the rejection from the international community does come with a stiff penalty.
I suppose the lesson for the EU and the international community is that; an arsonist can never become a reliable fire fighter. And hopefully President Isaias has now learnt that he cannot fool all the people all of the time… as for my compatriots who are blaming anything that walks for our predicament in Eritrea all I have to say is; time to grow up and do some serious thinking and apportion the blame where we should. The author of this article, the UN, the EU or the US are not in charge of Eritrea and cannot be held to account for all the ills that occurs in the country, on the other hand President Isaias Afewerki and his ruling party PFDJ have been running the country excluding all others and this is where we have all landed, I think it is high time we called a spade a spade and demanded a better rule in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 5:17 PM CEST

selam kidane

The most bizarre part of EU’s decision to commit development fund to Eritrea was the fact that it went against every bit of the agreements that govern development aid and partnerships with the EU. In return for the EU turning a blind eye to this clear breach President Isaias was supposed to help the EU bring some sort of stability to the horn of Africa and be prepared to engage in discussions pertaining human rights in Eritrea. The primary victims of Eritrea’s tyrannical rules would have told the EU and anyone interested that Isaias Afwerki , can never be relayed on to bring peace ,stability or justice to the Horn of Africa and much less to Eritrea. It seems it has taken this long for the EU and the international community to realise what the Eritrean youth had worked out ages ago.
Today the as the article mentions Eritrea produces more refugees than much larger countries, has more imprisoned journalists and more prisons. Those who tried hard to engage the president goading him to make the smallest of concessions have come back empty handed.
He antagonised his AU compatriots at the dawn of Eritrea’s independence calling them a bunch of baboons and he dealt with the rest of the international community with the same disdain he has taken to when dealing with the Eritrean public, only to find that what goes round does come round and unlike the Eritrean public the rejection from the international community does come with a stiff penalty.
I suppose the lesson for the EU and the international community is that; an arsonist can never become a reliable fire fighter. And hopefully President Isaias has now learnt that he cannot fool all the people all of the time… as for my compatriots who are blaming anything that walks for our predicament in Eritrea all I have to say is; time to grow up and do some serious thinking and apportion the blame where we should. The author of this article, the UN, the EU or the US are not in charge of Eritrea and cannot be held to account for all the ills that occurs in the country, on the other hand President Isaias Afewerki and his ruling party PFDJ have been running the country excluding all others and this is where we have all landed, I think it is high time we called a spade a spade and demanded a better rule in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 5:17 PM CEST

Bohashem

I think the EU can still play a better role in relation to G77. EU countries like Britain and France still have strong links with the LDC world through their commonwealth and francophone forums. What is needed is more assertiveness in telling those on the “wrong side of history” that their abuse of their people’s basic human and political rights can no longer be tolerated. In a globalised world, local repressive policies should not be allowed to spill over and contribute to regional and international instability. EU Aid and EU diplomacy is needed to promote the letter and spirit of the Cotonou Agreement i.e. to promote human rights, democracy and good governance…these are the basic tenets that every self-respecting people’s government should adhere to. In the absence of these tenets, EU relations with despotic regimes bring out no results except prolonging the suffering of oppressed peoples by their ruthless rulers such as the one we have in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 4:45 PM CEST

Bohashem

I think the EU can still play a better role in relation to G77. EU countries like Britain and France still have strong links with the LDC world through their commonwealth and francophone forums. What is needed is more assertiveness in telling those on the “wrong side of history” that their abuse of their people’s basic human and political rights can no longer be tolerated. In a globalised world, local repressive policies should not be allowed to spill over and contribute to regional and international instability. EU Aid and EU diplomacy is needed to promote the letter and spirit of the Cotonou Agreement i.e. to promote human rights, democracy and good governance…these are the basic tenets that every self-respecting people’s government should adhere to. In the absence of these tenets, EU relations with despotic regimes bring out no results except prolonging the suffering of oppressed peoples by their ruthless rulers such as the one we have in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 4:45 PM CEST

Bohashem

I think the EU can still play a better role in relation to G77. EU countries like Britain and France still have strong links with the LDC world through their commonwealth and francophone forums. What is needed is more assertiveness in telling those on the “wrong side of history” that their abuse of their people’s basic human and political rights can no longer be tolerated. In a globalised world, local repressive policies should not be allowed to spill over and contribute to regional and international instability. EU Aid and EU diplomacy is needed to promote the letter and spirit of the Cotonou Agreement i.e. to promote human rights, democracy and good governance…these are the basic tenets that every self-respecting people’s government should adhere to. In the absence of these tenets, EU relations with despotic regimes bring out no results except prolonging the suffering of oppressed peoples by their ruthless rulers such as the one we have in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 4:53 PM CEST

Bohashem

I think the EU can still play a better role in relation to G77. EU countries like Britain and France still have strong links with the LDC world through their commonwealth and francophone forums. What is needed is more assertiveness in telling those on the “wrong side of history” that their abuse of their people’s basic human and political rights can no longer be tolerated. In a globalised world, local repressive policies should not be allowed to spill over and contribute to regional and international instability. EU Aid and EU diplomacy is needed to promote the letter and spirit of the Cotonou Agreement i.e. to promote human rights, democracy and good governance…these are the basic tenets that every self-respecting people’s government should adhere to. In the absence of these tenets, EU relations with despotic regimes bring out no results except prolonging the suffering of oppressed peoples by their ruthless rulers such as the one we have in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 4:53 PM CEST

selam kidane

The most bizarre part of EU’s decision to commit development fund to Eritrea was the fact that it went against every bit of the agreements that govern development aid and partnerships with the EU. In return for the EU turning a blind eye to this clear breach President Isaias was supposed to help the EU bring some sort of stability to the horn of Africa and be prepared to engage in discussions pertaining human rights in Eritrea. The primary victims of Eritrea’s tyrannical rules would have told the EU and anyone interested that Isaias Afwerki , can never be relayed on to bring peace ,stability or justice to the Horn of Africa and much less to Eritrea. It seems it has taken this long for the EU and the international community to realise what the Eritrean youth had worked out ages ago.
Today the as the article mentions Eritrea produces more refugees than much larger countries, has more imprisoned journalists and more prisons. Those who tried hard to engage the president goading him to make the smallest of concessions have come back empty handed.
He antagonised his AU compatriots at the dawn of Eritrea’s independence calling them a bunch of baboons and he dealt with the rest of the international community with the same disdain he has taken to when dealing with the Eritrean public, only to find that what goes round does come round and unlike the Eritrean public the rejection from the international community does come with a stiff penalty.
I suppose the lesson for the EU and the international community is that; an arsonist can never become a reliable fire fighter. And hopefully President Isaias has now learnt that he cannot fool all the people all of the time… as for my compatriots who are blaming anything that walks for our predicament in Eritrea all I have to say is; time to grow up and do some serious thinking and apportion the blame where we should. The author of this article, the UN, the EU or the US are not in charge of Eritrea and cannot be held to account for all the ills that occurs in the country, on the other hand President Isaias Afewerki and his ruling party PFDJ have been running the country excluding all others and this is where we have all landed, I think it is high time we called a spade a spade and demanded a better rule in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 5:17 PM CEST

selam kidane

The most bizarre part of EU’s decision to commit development fund to Eritrea was the fact that it went against every bit of the agreements that govern development aid and partnerships with the EU. In return for the EU turning a blind eye to this clear breach President Isaias was supposed to help the EU bring some sort of stability to the horn of Africa and be prepared to engage in discussions pertaining human rights in Eritrea. The primary victims of Eritrea’s tyrannical rules would have told the EU and anyone interested that Isaias Afwerki , can never be relayed on to bring peace ,stability or justice to the Horn of Africa and much less to Eritrea. It seems it has taken this long for the EU and the international community to realise what the Eritrean youth had worked out ages ago.
Today the as the article mentions Eritrea produces more refugees than much larger countries, has more imprisoned journalists and more prisons. Those who tried hard to engage the president goading him to make the smallest of concessions have come back empty handed.
He antagonised his AU compatriots at the dawn of Eritrea’s independence calling them a bunch of baboons and he dealt with the rest of the international community with the same disdain he has taken to when dealing with the Eritrean public, only to find that what goes round does come round and unlike the Eritrean public the rejection from the international community does come with a stiff penalty.
I suppose the lesson for the EU and the international community is that; an arsonist can never become a reliable fire fighter. And hopefully President Isaias has now learnt that he cannot fool all the people all of the time… as for my compatriots who are blaming anything that walks for our predicament in Eritrea all I have to say is; time to grow up and do some serious thinking and apportion the blame where we should. The author of this article, the UN, the EU or the US are not in charge of Eritrea and cannot be held to account for all the ills that occurs in the country, on the other hand President Isaias Afewerki and his ruling party PFDJ have been running the country excluding all others and this is where we have all landed, I think it is high time we called a spade a spade and demanded a better rule in Eritrea.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 5:17 PM CEST

Debru N Gerne

Dear Mr/Ms. “Time will show eritrea is right” You wrote saying that “Eritrea, however, is advocating for a[n] approach that is inclusive of all groups and political affiliations and thus it has nothing to gain by militarily supporting any group.” Why couldn’t your pfdj government practice that inclusiveness in Eritrea? Could you please pass your own message to your master as well.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 7:01 PM CEST

Debru N Gerne

Dear Mr/Ms. “Time will show eritrea is right” You wrote saying that “Eritrea, however, is advocating for a[n] approach that is inclusive of all groups and political affiliations and thus it has nothing to gain by militarily supporting any group.” Why couldn’t your pfdj government practice that inclusiveness in Eritrea? Could you please pass your own message to your master as well.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 7:01 PM CEST

Debru N Gerne

Dear Mr/Ms. “Time will show eritrea is right” You wrote saying that “Eritrea, however, is advocating for a[n] approach that is inclusive of all groups and political affiliations and thus it has nothing to gain by militarily supporting any group.” Why couldn’t your pfdj government practice that inclusiveness in Eritrea? Could you please pass your own message to your master as well.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 7:01 PM CEST

Debru N Gerne

Dear Mr/Ms. “Time will show eritrea is right” You wrote saying that “Eritrea, however, is advocating for a[n] approach that is inclusive of all groups and political affiliations and thus it has nothing to gain by militarily supporting any group.” Why couldn’t your pfdj government practice that inclusiveness in Eritrea? Could you please pass your own message to your master as well.

Posted on 1/14/10 | 7:01 PM CEST

Daniel R Mekonnen

In their futile attempt, PFDJ apologists are challenging the standard of proof used by the UN Security Council in imposing sanctions against Eritrea. Surprisingly, they invoke the standard of proof known as “beyond reasonable doubt,” a benchmark only used in criminal benches (nowhere but only in criminal courts); obviously this is not applicable in other forums such as the UNSC, unless one is hallucinating. “Beyond reasonable doubt” is typically applicable in the case of tens of thousands of Eritrean political and religious prisoners about whom PFDJ apologists do not utter a single world – what an absurdity!

Posted on 1/15/10 | 8:15 AM CEST

Daniel R Mekonnen

In their futile attempt, PFDJ apologists are challenging the standard of proof used by the UN Security Council in imposing sanctions against Eritrea. Surprisingly, they invoke the standard of proof known as “beyond reasonable doubt,” a benchmark only used in criminal benches (nowhere but only in criminal courts); obviously this is not applicable in other forums such as the UNSC, unless one is hallucinating. “Beyond reasonable doubt” is typically applicable in the case of tens of thousands of Eritrean political and religious prisoners about whom PFDJ apologists do not utter a single world – what an absurdity!

Posted on 1/15/10 | 8:15 AM CEST

Daniel R Mekonnen

In their futile attempt, PFDJ apologists are challenging the standard of proof used by the UN Security Council in imposing sanctions against Eritrea. Surprisingly, they invoke the standard of proof known as “beyond reasonable doubt,” a benchmark only used in criminal benches (nowhere but only in criminal courts); obviously this is not applicable in other forums such as the UNSC, unless one is hallucinating. “Beyond reasonable doubt” is typically applicable in the case of tens of thousands of Eritrean political and religious prisoners about whom PFDJ apologists do not utter a single world – what an absurdity!

Posted on 1/15/10 | 8:15 AM CEST

Daniel R Mekonnen

In their futile attempt, PFDJ apologists are challenging the standard of proof used by the UN Security Council in imposing sanctions against Eritrea. Surprisingly, they invoke the standard of proof known as “beyond reasonable doubt,” a benchmark only used in criminal benches (nowhere but only in criminal courts); obviously this is not applicable in other forums such as the UNSC, unless one is hallucinating. “Beyond reasonable doubt” is typically applicable in the case of tens of thousands of Eritrean political and religious prisoners about whom PFDJ apologists do not utter a single world – what an absurdity!

Posted on 1/15/10 | 8:15 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 1:58 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 1:58 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 2:52 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 2:52 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 1:58 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 1:58 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 2:52 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 2:52 AM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 12:29 PM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 12:29 PM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 12:29 PM CEST

Erishied

Mrs Mirjam Van Reisen

What you need to ask is who is benefiting from the sanctions and who is pulling the strings.
Ethiopia is benefiting to the tune of $3billion/yr, and the other countries that make the IGAD (Djibouti, Uganda etc) who instigated all this are the main beneficiaries of the WOT in Somalia.
It is typical concocted propaganda to hide their own involvement and Ethiopia’s crimes.
The sad thing is AU and UN are being used as a rubber stamps for the few countries adventures in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.
In 2007 the UN monitoring group published the same falsified report that claimed 2000 Eritrean Special forces were dispatched to Somalia before the invasion, yet not a single Eritrean soldier was found dead or alive in Somalian soil. You are a journalist, go and ask the UN where did they vanish to ?
But there are evidence upon evidence of the US, Ethiopia, AU peace keepers running arms in Somalia. Here are few links from Reuters incase you have forgotten.

Have you asked why the very Ilyushin 76 that the UN monitoring group accused Eritrea of using to transport arms, crashed in lake victoria transporting American Dyncorp contractors and AMISOM soldiers ?

Well never mind, this is not the first time for the selective outrage nor the first skulduggery experienced by Eritreans, I wish you spoke with the same zeal about the border issue that is the cause of most things. Oh well we live in make belief world, where Ethics and Justice does not exist but pay for play NGO’s write what ever they want.

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanityhttp://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx

Posted on 1/16/10 | 12:29 PM CEST

Khaled Abdu

As long us the dictator is in Power in Eritrea , eritrea will produce the largest number of refugees and the special treatment the dictator got from EU for the last few years has to do a lot to the refugee producing process and Luis Michelle has to be reminded once again about his miscalculation in dealing with the dictator. Today is Sanction and what follows is only a matter of time…..
The mad dictator is reminding me th elast days of Saddam Hussien….

Posted on 1/17/10 | 2:20 PM CEST

Khaled Abdu

As long us the dictator is in Power in Eritrea , eritrea will produce the largest number of refugees and the special treatment the dictator got from EU for the last few years has to do a lot to the refugee producing process and Luis Michelle has to be reminded once again about his miscalculation in dealing with the dictator. Today is Sanction and what follows is only a matter of time…..
The mad dictator is reminding me th elast days of Saddam Hussien….

Posted on 1/17/10 | 2:20 PM CEST

Khaled Abdu

As long us the dictator is in Power in Eritrea , eritrea will produce the largest number of refugees and the special treatment the dictator got from EU for the last few years has to do a lot to the refugee producing process and Luis Michelle has to be reminded once again about his miscalculation in dealing with the dictator. Today is Sanction and what follows is only a matter of time…..
The mad dictator is reminding me th elast days of Saddam Hussien….

Posted on 1/17/10 | 2:20 PM CEST

Khaled Abdu

As long us the dictator is in Power in Eritrea , eritrea will produce the largest number of refugees and the special treatment the dictator got from EU for the last few years has to do a lot to the refugee producing process and Luis Michelle has to be reminded once again about his miscalculation in dealing with the dictator. Today is Sanction and what follows is only a matter of time…..
The mad dictator is reminding me th elast days of Saddam Hussien….

Posted on 1/17/10 | 2:20 PM CEST

yayino

Eritrea what is it anyway sure not a country …. no constitution no private media no nothing I mean even simple organizations have constitution these days people please ….

Posted on 1/20/10 | 12:52 PM CEST

yayino

Eritrea what is it anyway sure not a country …. no constitution no private media no nothing I mean even simple organizations have constitution these days people please ….

Posted on 1/20/10 | 12:52 PM CEST

yayino

Eritrea what is it anyway sure not a country …. no constitution no private media no nothing I mean even simple organizations have constitution these days people please ….

Posted on 1/20/10 | 12:52 PM CEST

yayino

Eritrea what is it anyway sure not a country …. no constitution no private media no nothing I mean even simple organizations have constitution these days people please ….